Resilient-type leg-exercising device

ABSTRACT

An elastic-type exercising device to be attached to the feet of a user. The exercising device has two feet-engaging members attached to the respective ends of a single elongated piece of resilient material. Two of the devices are to be positioned parallel to each other so that users may place feet in two adjacent foot-receiving members and exercise against the resistance of the other user when his feet are in adjacent feetengaging members.

United States Patent Olorenshaw Feb. 8, 1972 [S4] RESILIENT-TYPELEG-EXERCISING DEVICE [72] Inventor: John Kenneth Olorenshaw, Box 425,Canmore, Alberta, Canada [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 5,670

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,193,288 7/1965 Spainetal...272/82 l,605,792 11/1926 Simmons ..272/79R 2,224,103 12/1940 Nilson..272l82 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 26,180 1907 Great Britain..272/82 Primary Examiner--Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-WilliamR. Browne Attorney-Kent 8:. Ade

[57] ABSTRACT An elastic-type exercising device to be attached to thefeet of a user. The exercising device has two feet-engaging membersattached to the respective ends of a single elongated piece of resilientmaterial. Two of the devices are to be positioned parallel to each otherso that users may place feet in two adjacent foot-receiving members andexercise against the resistance of the other user when his feet are inadjacent feet-engaging members.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures RESIDENT-TYPE LEG-EXERCISING DEVICE Thisinvention relates to new and useful improvements in exercising devices,particularly exercising devices which may be in the form of acompetitive game or the like.

The principal object and essence of the invention is to provide anexercising device which is particularly suited for use in the exercisingof the legs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described in which the resiliency of strips or ropes ofrubber or the like is utilized, it being understood that the greater theextension of the ropes or strips, the greater the resistance thereofthus giving an exercising device which is variable in the force requiredto operate same.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which is simple in construction,economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose forwhich it is designed.

With the foregoing in view, and such other or further purposes,advantages or novel features as may become apparent from considerationof this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of,and is hereby claimed to reside in, the inventive concept which iscomprised, embodied, embraces or includes in the method, process,construction, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or newuse of any of the foregoing, of which concept, one or more specificembodiments of same are herein exemplified as illustrative only of suchconcept, reference being had to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one of the exercising devices.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of FIG. 1.

HO. 3 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment with one endfixed to a supporting surface.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the engagement of thefoot with the safety loop and the toe engaging portron.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefor to describe the invention in detail, the deviceconsists of a rope or strip made of resilient material such as rubber.It can be a plurality of single strands encased within a woven casingor, alternatively, it can be a solid strip. Dealing first with theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a foot-engaging attachmentcollectively designated 11 is secured to each end of the strip 10 byconventional means such as sewing or stapling (not illustrated). Thefoot-engaging attachments include a substantially rectangular pad 12upon which the foot of the wearer rests, and a toe-engaging pocket orcap 13 extending upwardly and over the front end 14 of the sole plate orpad 12, it being understood that the pockets 13 are provided with closedends 15 into which the toe engages.

Secured to the ends 16 of the strips or ropes 10 adjacent theattachments 11, is a safety loop 17. This loop is also resilient, but isadapted to extend around the ankle or instep area 18 of the user fairlysnugly.

The device is adapted to be used in pairs and by two people. The devicesare laid side by side on the floor with the ropes 10 extended but notstretched. Each user engages his left and right foot in adjacentattachments 11 so that they are standing back to back.

Exercise is obtained by each of the users attempting to walk away fromthe other against the resiliency or elasticity of the ropes or strips10.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the farther apart the usersbecome, the greater the strain so that there comes a point where neitheruser can take a further step under which circumstances the greatestexercising strain is reached, such strain at this point, of course,being isometric.-

The safety loops [7 prevent inadvertent displacement of one of theattachments from the foot of the user with the subsequent danger of itsnapping back and striking the other user.

FIG. 4 shows the method of attachment of the foot of the user into theattaching portion 11 with the safety strap or loop 17 in (position andthe toe l8 engaged within the ocket l3.

Fl 3 shows a modification in which the oot-attachmg portions 11 areprovided on one end 19 of the strap or rope 10.

The other end 20 is provided with a ring 21 or the like which may beattached to a bracket 22 secured to a vertical supporting surface 23such as a wall. Here again two devices are used, one for each foot, theuser walking away from the wall in the direction of arrow 24 until hecan move no further.

When used with two people, it will of course be appreciated that acompetitive effort is involved and that if continued strain is used, oneperson may actually force the other to give way and move rearwardly.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventionconcept which is herein disclosed and/or claimed.

What I claim as the present invention is:

l. Exercising apparatus for use by two persons standing back to backconsisting of two identical devices positioned side by side on asupporting surface, each of said devices comprising an elongatedresiliently stretchable element and a pair of foot-receiving memberssecured to the opposite ends of said element, each of saidfoot-receiving members including a toe cap and the toe caps of the twofoot-receiving members of each device being oriented outwardly inopposite directions, so that when the two devices are positioned side byside on a supporting surface as aforesaid, the elongated stretchableelements of the two devices are substantially parallel and feet of twoparticipants are received in the foot-receiving members at therespective opposite ends of the two devices.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidfoot-receiving members also includes a sole plate secured to saidelongated element of the associated device, said toe cap being providedon said sole plate.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidfoot-receiving members also includes an ankle engaging loop connected tosaid elongated element of the associated device.

1. Exercising apparatus for use by two persons standing back to backconsisting of two identical devices positioned side by side on asupporting surface, each of said devices comprising an elongatedresiliently stretchable element and a pair of footreceiving memberssecured to the opposite ends of said element, each of saidfoot-receiving members including a toe cap and the toe caps of the twofoot-receiving members of each device being oriented outwardly inopposite directions, so that when the two devices are positioned side byside on a supporting surface as aforesaid, the elongated stretchableelements of the two devices are substantially parallel and feet of twoparticipants are received in the foot-receiving members at therespective opposite ends of the two devices.
 2. The apparatus as definedin claim 1 wherein each of said foot-receiving members also includes asole plate secured to said elongated element of the associated device,said toe cap being provided on said sole plate.
 3. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein each of said foot-receiving members alsoincludes an ankle engaging loop connected to said elongated element ofthe associated device.